United States Featured Location: Alaska

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Geographic location
Anchorage sits in a geographic bowl, bounded by the Chugach Mountains to the north and east and by the Cook Inlet to the west and south. With a population of 265,000, it is the largest city in Alaska. Anchorage is the commercial center of Alaska and in many ways looks like any other major U.S. city, with shopping malls, housing developments and office buildings. There are two military bases nearby as well.

In general, team members should plan for a wide variety of weather. It may be 85 degrees and sunny in Anchorage but cold near glaciers, or it may rain the entire time and be very cold in the mountains.

Affiliate background
Habitat for Humanity Anchorage was founded in 1991. HFHA works with people who live in substandard conditions and with volunteers and donors throughout Anchorage.

Types of construction for volunteers
Construction for teams to Anchorage is typically on new homes. Tools and safety equipment are available, and each site is equipped with portable bathroom facilities.

Project locations
Anchorage

Lodging
Teams stay in local churches. There are fully equipped kitchens available to prepare meals. There are clean, adequate bathroom facilities at all churches. Showering facilities are available 24 hours a day at a local health club. Teams will not be showering at their churches. Twin size air mattresses are provided. HFHA has sleeping bags to loan to team members, but most participants choose to bring their own sleeping bags or purchase an inexpensive one in Anchorage.

Food and water
Breakfast: Teams will prepare their own breakfasts each morning.
Lunch: Midday meals provided by community donors on the job site daily.
Dinner: Local volunteers will provide several dinners. Teams will prepare other evening meals as a group.
Water: Water is available at all job sites at all times.

Transportation
HFH Anchorage owns vans for the teams to use during their stay.

Hosting structure and services
HFH Anchorage provides support to team leaders throughout the planning process. The affiliate solicits donations from the community to provide free lodging and many meals for the team. While the team is in Anchorage, the volunteer coordinator assists with the coordination of the donated housing and meals. The affiliate construction supervisor organizes the work on the build site and trains the volunteers in various tasks. The volunteer coordinator also assists with booking the cultural activity to Kenai Fjords.

Standard itinerary
15 Day ItineraryDay 1 (Arrival day, typically Saturday): Greeted at the Anchorage airport by team leader; dinner and team meeting.Day 2 (Sunday): Orientation; group activity.Day 3–7 (Workdays, Monday–Friday): Breakfast before traveling to work site; work from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with lunch on-site; free time after work to clean up; time for team activities.
Special events throughout the week: local activities; community dinners.Day 8–10 (Saturday–Monday): Free time for local activities.Day 11–13 (Workdays, Tuesday–Thursday): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 8a.m.-4p.m. with lunch on-site; free time after work to clean up; time for team activities.Day 14 (Friday): Cultural activity-Kenai Fjords visit.Day 15 (Saturday): Departure day.